Last December the 108th Air Refueling Wing
had the honor of flying the last operational
mission in Operation Joint Forge.

Wing members from the 108th deployed, under
Operation Joint Forge, to Istres Air Base, France to assist in
the base closure and
the relocation of assets and
personnel.

The United States Air
Force has had a detachment
assigned to a hangar in Istres
as part of the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization to direct
and provide air coverage over
the Balkans, but now after 11
years, their mission is finally
complete. During that time,
the detachment has flown approximately
6,000 missions
and logged more than 34,000
flight hours.

During the base closure
and flag furling ceremony there
was a strong sense of friendship
between the French and the Americans that had formed during the
decadelong
service on French soil.

The phrase "What is not finished is the friendship
built between us," was voiced several times by the
various guest speakers at the ceremony.

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108th Unit Receives AFOUA

The 227th Special Operations Flight, 108th
Air Refueling Wing, received the 2004 Air Force
Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) based on meritorious
service for the period of Nov 1, 2002 to
Jun. 30, 2004.

"The competition was extremely keen, and each
winner is commended for having been selected from
an outstanding group of nominees,” stated Lt. Gen.
Daniel James III, Director, Air National Guard. “The
dedication and commitment of the members of these
organizations enable the Air National Guard to fulfill
its commitment to the missions of peacekeeping,
humanitarian relief, domestic improvement, and most
important of all - defense of America."

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Santa’s Team Deliver Pies

By Staff Sgt. Matt Johnson, 108ARW Enlisted CouncilPresident

The 108th Enlisted Council held a fundraiser in
December, the profits of which were donated to the
men and women of the Vineland Veterans Memorial
Home.

Prior to the fundraiser, a vote was held to choose
Santa and his two elves. The winners were Lt. Col.
Rory Doolittle as Santa, with Chief Master Sgt. Marv
Nichols and Staff Sgt. April Kelly as the elves.
Their job was to deliver whip cream pies to
recipients of the Pie in the Face fundraiser. Individuals
were brought up in front of the Wing to receive
their pies from Santa. The Vineland Veterans Memorial
Home received $200 from the fundraiser.